Jason Walker's pre-AP biology classroom at Russellville High School was transformed Monday into a forum for debating a world issue his 10th-grade students have been exposed to most of their lives, but have only researched within the past week.

Dressed in their best business attire, students in Walker's four biology classes argued whether global warming is a real threat, or whether recent reports and documentaries are correct in stating global warming is all a government hoax.

"Global warming is a heavily debated topic among many politicians in this and several other countries," Walker said. "Although most countries and their respective scientists have climbed aboard the global-warming bandwagon, there are still many that believe that this might be one of the biggest hoaxes ever told to the human race."

Divided into two groups, the students researched topics like ozone depletion, the use of CFCs and weather patterns as far back as the Ice Age, to develop ideas and opinions on global warming, Walker said.

Students then used information they gained throughout the school year - such as biological and environmental chemistry, ecosystems, increased population growth and biogeochemical cycles - to form a formal argument to back up their opinion.

Walker said although he believes the earth is getting warmer, significantly because of carbon dioxide emissions, he did not think "hard data" existed to fully support the future implications of global warming. Walker did not share his opinion with his students, however, for fear the students would "take it as the gospel."

"Although I have my opinion, I want my students to come up with their own opinion on this subject," he explained. "Too many students hear their friend's opinion or their parents' opinion and make it their own without researching the topic and forming their own informed opinion. This is one of my main goals for this debate - my students looking at both sides of the story, researching the data, and then forming their own opinion."

As Walker's fourth-period class talked intelligently about global warming formulas and ways to stop damage to the ozone layer, it was clear many of the students had become passionate about their research topic.

"If we don't do something to mitigate the use of CFCs, it's just going to get worse," student Ruth Bradley said with a piece of chalk in hand. She drew diagrams on the classroom chalkboard to better demonstrate her point.

According to Walker, students viewed the film "An Inconvenient Truth," featuring Al Gore, which gave the students background on the global warming debate in the country, as well as an opportunity to be exposed to the argument that global warming is an imminent threat to the planet's future.

He said exposing the argument was important because the majority of his students either believed global warming was not a threat, or they did not hold an opinion.

"I look forward to seeing how the students feel after looking at both sides of this issue," Walker said, noting the students would write a report of their findings after the debates are complete.

All topics discussed in Walker's class relate to the Arkansas State Frameworks needed for students do score Advanced on the end-of-level biology test scheduled for April 23.